John Styrpe: "Memorials of the Most Reverent Father in God, Thomas Cranm...

1547. WILY WINCHESTER GETS 5 YEARS IN THE BRIG--FLEET AND THE TOWER. The Homilies and Erasmus' Paraphrases are discussion. Dr. Cranmer invites Steve Gardiner, Wily Winchester, to aid in authoring the Homilies. Wily thinks it will disturb the nation and begs off. Letters go from Dr. Cranmer, Winchester, and the Lord Protector. Dr. Cranmer and others compose the 12 Homilies. Winchester will end up in the Fleet and Tower as it heats up. Gardiner censures the Homily of Salvation, to wit, that justifying faith includes charity. Wily accuses Cranmer of having no Scripture nor Doctors on his side. Cranmer and Steve tango, theologically. Cranmer is trying to get Steve onboard, but Steve’s having nothing of it. Cranmer drops the boom on of Steve: “"He [Gardiner] liked nothing, unless he did it himself, and that he disliked the homily for that reason, because he was not a counsellor” (20). A direct ad hominem that Wily is fully aware of and writes about, complaining that others besides Cranmer are buying the put-down. Apparently, the Council is not going to have Steve’s “refractoriness” (21). More letters are floating around. Gardiner goes to the Fleet, 25 Sept 1547. This is not just Cranmer but the Council and King’s decision—Dr. Cranmer, however, is in the lead here. Cranmer dealt kindly with Gardiner which may have resulted from his release from the Fleet: "That he [Gardiner]was a man, in his opinion, meet to be called to the council again; but withal told him, that he stood too much in obstinacy; that it was perverse frowardness, and not any zeal for the truth” (22). It must be remembered that deviousness and obstinacy were not new allegations here—Henry VIII decidedly excluded Wily from being an executor of his will claiming that he knew how to use Wily while others did not. Henry knew Wily’s character. Wiley was set free 7 Jan 1548, “but was again confined in the Tower, on the last day of June 1548, where he was held a prisoner somewhat more than five years, being liberated August 3, 1553, four weeks after the accession of queen Mary” (23). That’ll make Wily a bit cranky. 5 years in the brig!